CN1377199A - Telecommunication system - Google Patents

Abstract

In a telecommunications system such as the global mobile telephone network in which each subscriber unit includes a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM card), each SIM card has a number of fixed memory locations (22) into which data can be accessed by radio, some memory Location (22) cannot be overwritten from the subscriber unit, but can be accessed by entering a simple short code linked to the storage location. An additional fixed memory location (24) can only be read by radio when the user enters a personal identification number. Lock control files (27, 28) are used to control read and write access to storage locations (22, 24), respectively.

Description

telecommunications system

This application is a divisional application of the patent application filed on January 17, 1996 with application number 94192802.0 and titled "Telecommunication System".

The invention relates to a telecommunications system. In particular, but not exclusively, it relates to a mobile communication system such as a cellular mobile radio or telephone system.

The latest technology in such systems introduces Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM cards), integrated circuit cards that are releasably inserted into the mobile phone and contain in memory the subscriber's identity, ie his telephone number. These well-known SIM cards also have a rolling buffer capable of storing a certain amount of alphanumeric characters. The cache uses the Short Message Service (SMS), where a message to a user or a group of specific users can be made over the air in modern radio paging fashion. A mobile phone can receive these messages whenever it is available or on standby. However, if the received message is one that might overflow the buffer, the data is lost on a first-in-first-out basis.

US-A-5 127 040 describes a method and device for remotely loading a pre-stored telephone number into a mobile telephone unit, which number can be recalled and used later by the user.

EP-A-0 459 344 describes a method for unloading and executing software at a remote terminal of a communication system.

WO-A-91/12698 discloses a mobile radiotelephone having a SIM card programmed with only certain services authorized for use. This programming can be done directly rather than remotely.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a more efficient and remotely reconfigurable SIM card.

Viewed from one aspect, the invention comprises in a telecommunications system at least one master station and a plurality of subscriber units, the or each master station being capable of transmitting messages to at least one subscriber unit, each subscriber unit having a plurality of A detection message and a detection of a response message are stored in a selected device in a fixed storage location in a fixed storage location, which cannot be written to from the subscriber unit, but can be accessed by the subscriber unit when desired, and which It is characterized in that each subscriber unit includes means for selectively enabling or disabling said fixed memory location from being overwritten or read by either the master station or the subscriber unit in response to a command transmitted from the master station.

In this specification and the appended claims, a "fixed" storage location means a location into which data may be written, excluding first-in-first-out or circular buffers. Although it is possible to write all the data in a "fixed" storage location, it is different from the first-in-first-out lost data encountered in the current SMS cache.

Thus, for example, a set of telephone numbers, all with an identifying alphanumeric tag (tag), can be transmitted to the SIM card, allowing the user to easily access frequently used services such as hotels, car rentals or airline reservations. This capability is called Value-Added Services Catalog.

A message can be retrieved by the user by entering a simple short code into the subscriber unit to each memory unit corresponding to a specific code. A message may be a telephone number, and after being stored can be overwritten by the outside. Preferably, the or each master station may transmit a request for information stored in the subscriber unit. This information can be included in a message, or it can be stored in a fixed storage location that can only be accessed when the user enters a personal identification number (PIN number). The information may include credit details about the user, such as the status of a credit card number, which greatly facilitates credit card transactions over the phone. Utilizing this feature of the present invention, the credit account holder does not have to dictate his account details, but only needs to enter the indicated PIN number.

The master station may transmit instructions to lock and or unlock a memory location on the subscriber unit, and may transmit instructions to run a program stored in a memory location on the subscriber unit. The master station can transmit files with functional data and/or files with non-functional data to the subscriber units.

The messages requesting information and transmitted instructions may be in a format that the particular subscriber unit can distinguish from others. This special format can be made into a secure format against eavesdropping.

In a preferred embodiment, the subscriber unit includes a mobile radio or telephone and an integrated circuit card removably connected to the radio/telephone. The integrated circuit card may include storage locations and may include means for distinguishing special formats from other formats. The card may include means for distinguishing between message request information and instructions. The card may also include means for storing messages and means for initiating information requests and instructions.

Viewed from another aspect, the invention includes a module for controlling a subscriber unit in a telecommunications system, the subscriber unit module being removably connected to a transceiver of the subscriber unit and including a plurality of fixed memory locations and responsive Detection of an incoming message Means for storing a message in a selected one of fixed memory locations, characterized in that said means enables or disallows any or all of said fixed memory locations to allow or disallow a subscriber unit or Host overwrites or reads.

The module may include a directory structure in which files can be stored.

The present invention is particularly applicable to global communication systems in which mobile cellular telephone networks of various countries communicate using a common standard. An example of such a global system is the GSM - Global System for Mobile Communications currently operating in Europe. However, the invention is not limited to a global system, it can be applied to cellular networks of individual countries or even to fixed terrestrial link networks.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows the transmission of messages to a subscriber unit in a system according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows the process by which a subscriber unit transmits messages and requested information;

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing each unit of a kind of module shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2;

Figure 4 shows details of the blocks shown in Figure 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the modules shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

Figure 1 illustrates an SMS distribution path according to the present invention. In previous technologies, short messages are usually sent directly to a single user or a group of specific users such as a sales team.

However, GSM also supports a feature called cellular broadcasting that enables messages to reach all users in a particular area. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a message consists of an advertiser's telephone number and an alphanumeric identifier identifying the advertiser.

An operator enters a message into terminal 1. The message is then encoded into a secure format called Embedded Command Stream (ECS) and sent via modem 2 and fixed line 3 to a local GSM adapter 4 . Depending on where it was delivered, the message is passed through the network or even across the network to any or all of the other relays.

A switch 4 (which in this example is located in the geographical area to which the message is to be sent) sends the message to several locations 5 . Site 5 is the base transceiver station of the GSM network.

Each site 5 then broadcasts the message to a group of transceivers or mobile phones (hereinafter collectively referred to as mobile phones). If using cell broadcasting, this group consists of all mobile phones that are in the geographic area at the time of the broadcast.

The selected mobile phone 6 that receives the message sends back a receipt confirmation to its corresponding site 5 . From this point on, the system will no longer be in contact with the mobile phone 6 until a new state is entered.

The mobile phone 6 identifies the message as SMS data and sends it to the SIM card 7, which is an independent small microprocessor that fits into a slot in the mobile phone 6. Then, the SIM card 7 uses special hardware and software to confirm this ECS, and stores this message in the memory in a way that cannot be rewritten by the user. The SIM card is known to have a large number of fixed memory locations in which the user can store frequently dialed numbers and corresponding alphanumeric identifiers. The SIM card 7 of the present invention stores this message in one of these storage locations, and then completes a write protection operation. The memory location dedicated to storing write-protected messages may be indicated by a code number associated with a particular type of advertiser. In this way, for example, the phone number of the car rental company can be stored in storage location 01, the hotel reservation can be stored in storage location 02, and so on.

Fig. 2 shows the call-out process of user and advertiser communication, as shown in 8, the user who remembers the car rental company number inside storage location 01 presses the short code (for example 01#) button corresponding to this storage location. The mobile phone 6 then queries the SIM card 7, retrieves the phone number from the storage location, and the SIM card 7 provides the number and alphanumeric identifier for the given company's name and displays it to the user. The user confirms his desired process by pressing the SEND key.

Next, the mobile phone gets a voice channel through which the call is routed to the dialed number. The GSM system automatically controls intra-network and inter-network hopping. At this point, the user can conduct a voice conversation with the company.

As long as the appropriate equipment is installed in the company, when the call is answered, the user identification information read from the SIM card 7 immediately gives the company details of the user such as name and address.

The SIM card 7 also contains information detailing the user's usage account. This information is kept in a separate secure storage location and can only be accessed when the user enters a specific PIN number known only to him and confirms that the mobile phone has not been stolen or lost. When the user has confirmed his rental car transaction, he enters the PIN number into the mobile phone 6 and the credit information is drawn from the SIN card 7 . The SIM card 7 provides this information and the mobile phone transmits to the company using existing voice/data technology in a secure fraudsters-proof detection format. The call ends when the transaction is further confirmed by the company or its equipment.

In this example, it is also possible to obtain a telephone or facsimile number from the operator-assisted directory system, without the user having to manually enter the number into the communication terminal he wants to use.

Using this feature, a user calls a network directory directory and gives the name of the person, business or service wishing to locate a telephone number and any other information required by the operator answering the call. The operator then seeks out the number confirmation and asks whether the number should be voice-transmitted, transferred by SMS to a given memory location on the user's SIM card, or both.

If the user selects SIM update, the voice call is terminated and the operator initiates the SMS procedure by entering a sequence into the computer or pressing a dedicated key. Then, the phone number is compiled into an ECS message at the distribution center and sent over the network to The user communication terminal transmits an acknowledgment to the distribution center. Then, retry the agency work until confirmation is received.

The communication terminal recognizes this message as SMS data, sends it to the SIM card, and, if possible, displays a "message received" sign, and then the SIM card uses dedicated hardware and software to identify the ECS, and Decode accordingly. The phone number and any associated alphanumeric identifiers (usually a person or company name) are recovered along with the desired storage location. The number and name identifier is then written to that storage location and, if requested by the user, write-protected, the write-protection is encoded into the message at the source.

Thereafter, the user places a call to a number in a known memory location by keying in the number of the memory location. The SIM card sends the telephone or fax number to the communication terminal as required, and after receiving the user's confirmation, the communication terminal establishes a call to the required number.

FIG. 3 shows the electronic structure of the SIM card 7 . The card communicates via an input/output (I/O) manager 15 connected to the mobile phone, preferably using the protocol ISO7816T=0. A filter 16 receives incoming data from the I/O manager and detects any ECS messages from the received short messages. ECS messages are sent directly to an extended erasable read-only memory ( ^E2 ROM) 17, preferably a "flash" ^E2 ROM). Data can also be output to the I/O manager 15 directly from the ^E2 ROM. The rest of the blocks shown in Figure 3 are all standard parts of the SIM card.

Fig. 4 shows how the E ² ROM is organized. The root directory 18 contains a SIM management and identifier, a GSM directory and network data 20, and a telecommunication directory 21.

The telecommunication directory further includes the following storage locations: "abbreviated dialing number" 22, "capacity configuration" 23, "short message" 24, "fixed dialing number" 25, and "charging calculator" 26. Each box represents a number of memory locations. Frequently dialed numbers and corresponding alphanumeric identifiers are stored in storage location 22 .

"Abbreviated Dial Number" location 22 and "Short Message" location 24 each have a corresponding lock control file 27, 28, the lock control file includes information for read/write protectors and read/write protection from their corresponding memory locations. write-protected program. The lock control files 27, 28 will generally be placed in the telecommunication directory 21 as shown, but could be located elsewhere, for example in the administration directory.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the SIM card using the dedicated hardware and software described above to perform the described operations. In decision block 9, messages, requests and commands with ECS are separated from those without ECS. Each of these ECSs consists of a data stream beginning with a command of at least 4 types, namely: a message command, a read command to request information, an attribute command to lock or unlock an instruction, and a command to run a program Run the command.

Commands and data types are decoded in block 10 and applied to one of four paths 11-14.

Path 11 processes the write command, starting at the specified location to store the message. Path 12 handles read commands; moreover, information requests include a location to be accessed first, reading subsequent locations and placing the data in the buffer until the requested amount of data has been read. The data in the buffer is then encoded into ECS format and sent from the mobile phone to the calling party using SMS.

In path 13, attribute commands are used to lock or unlock specified storage locations, making them accessible or inaccessible to the calling party or to the user. In channel 14, the run command causes the program stored in the SIM card to run.

The basic ECS system can be expanded to 255 internal shell commands, write, read, lock/unlock, and run commands are four examples. The specific protocol used to transfer information is not set in stone, it could be ISO 7816 T=0, or any other applicable protocol.

Internal shell commands assist the system in generating external result files (file objects) in the SIM card 7. The resulting file is of two types, namely: the Application Data File Program (ADFP) containing functional data that can be executed by the SIM card processor and self-modified if necessary, and the Application Data File (ADFP) containing non-functional data that does not have these capabilities ( ADF). Existing ADF(P)s can be modified over the air to provide features such as tagging, re-tagging or offloading to a phonebook.

SIM 7 has a directory structure like a computer disk, and the new ADF(P) can be unloaded into any directory by radio. Furthermore, directories can also be created, deleted, and modified by radio, multiple tree directory operations can be performed, and ADF(P) that are no longer needed can be deleted. The total amount of ADF(P) data that can be unloaded is limited only by the capacity of the card's ^E2 ROM.

As mentioned above, the present invention greatly expands the application of the SIM card. For example, using a value-added service directory, users can easily and quickly book a hotel or an airplane seat.

Another advantage of this capability of the present invention is that it is easy to distribute messages to cards in a specific geographical area (eg south of France). That is to say, an advertiser can send his message to all mobile phone users in a certain area. This is especially useful when a user "roams" from one region to another without knowing the local services.

Directory lookup offloading enables connection to a telephone or fax number sent to a user's communication terminal without any interference from the user. Manually entering a number to receive an operator during a call is often dangerous, especially when the user is driving.

The system's ability to offload the ADF(P) means that additional services can be added to the SIM card over the air while maintaining overall compatibility with existing cellular systems. That is to say, the SIM card can take on the functions of a credit card, passport, driver's license, parking pass, membership card, etc., and become a multi-purpose card. In addition, dynamic update services can be added, which require a different program to be run each time the service is used.

Once the card has additional services on it, it can be used as an independent part outside the mobile phone environment if necessary. This can be read or written by dedicated hardware such as a point-of-sale terminal, and new services can be deleted if necessary. However, this card never loses its mobile phone SIM capabilities. Furthermore, if the card has additional services, the services will continue to function even if the user has disconnected from the mobile phone network unless otherwise requested.

Various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, a SIM card can be trained to only receive messages detailing services that the user needs.

Claims (27)

1. A telecommunications system comprising at least one master station (1) and a plurality of subscriber units (6), the or each master station can send a message to at least one subscriber unit, and each subscriber unit (6) There are multiple storage locations (22) and means for storing messages in a selected storage location according to the detection of the message, characterized in that said storage locations are accessible by subscriber units (6), and wherein each subscriber unit (6,7) including means (27,28) responsive to commands transmitted from the master station (1) to selectively enable or disable the or each master station (1) or slave subscriber unit (6,7) Access the memory location. 2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the subscriber unit (6) comprises a transceiver and an integrated circuit card (7) or other modules with memory locations (22), and the detection of the response message is performed by the transceiver For sending it to a selected storage location, said module is detachably connected to the transceiver. 3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the subscriber unit (6) includes access means enabling said storage locations to be selectively accessed to retrieve data stored therein from a selected storage location. 4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein each storage location (22) is corresponding to a simple short code, and the subscriber unit (6, 7) includes a short code according to the input unit for example by activating the access device from Select the storage location to retrieve data from the device. 5. A system as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the access means is activated to access a selected memory location, data is retrieved from the selected memory location and transmitted to the display means of the subscriber unit for display thereon. 6. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each master station (1) can transmit a memory location (24) stored in a selected subscriber unit (6, 7) requests for data, and each subscriber unit includes means for fetching and transmitting data in response to such requests. 7. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the means for responding to the request is activated only when a personal identification number (PIN number) is entered into the subscriber unit (6). 8. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each subscriber unit (6) includes means for responding to instructions sent by the master station or each master station (1), running a program stored in the subscriber unit (6) program to store the location. 9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each master station is operable to download application data file programs to a subscriber unit, including memory locations storable in the subscriber unit for subsequent execution. feature data. 10. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein messages, data requests and instructions to send are coded in short codes and each subscriber unit (6, 7) comprises means (16) for identifying the particular format. 11. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the or each master station is operable to send messages to subscriber units in alphanumeric format to provide short message service, and said special format is said short message service format An encoded form of . 12. A system as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein said special format is a secure format. 13. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the entire system is used for mobile communications. 14. A module (7) for controlling a subscriber unit (6) in a telecommunication system comprising at least one master station, said module being movably connected to a transceiver of the subscriber unit (6), comprising A plurality of memory locations (17) and means for storing them in a selected memory location in response to the detection of a message, characterized in that said memory location is accessible by a subscriber unit (6), and wherein the module (7) includes a response message received from a remote Means (27,28) for transmitting instructions to selectively enable or disable access to said memory location from either the master station or from the subscriber unit (6,7). 15. The module of claim 14, wherein messages sent thereto are encoded in a special format different from other message formats used in the system, said message encoded in said special format comprising a data stream, said data stream Embedded commands including at least one write command to write data to a selected memory location, one read command to request data stored at a memory location, one to enable or disable access from a master or subscriber unit an attribute instruction of a selected storage location, an execution instruction stored in a selected storage location, wherein means are provided for decoding said message and processing data in said message indicated by said embedded instruction. 16. The module of claim 15, wherein the special format is an embedded instruction stream form of a predetermined short message service format used in the system. 17. Module (7) according to claim 14, 15 or 16, comprising a directory structure (21) in which files can be stored. 18. A module as claimed in claim 14, 15, 16 or 17, wherein the module takes the form of an integrated circuit card. 19. A module as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the module is a subscriber identification module. 20. A method of operating a telecommunications system, wherein at least one master station (1) is operable to send messages to a plurality of subscriber units (6) of the system, detect messages to the subscriber units to which the sent messages arrive, and store the messages in a predetermined storage location (22), characterized in that by providing selective access to the storage location (22) by the associated subscriber unit (6) enables the retrieval of stored messages therefrom, and the command from the master station (1) to selectively Enables or disables access to memory locations from a master or subscriber unit. 21. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the message sent from the master station (1) is encoded in a special format different from other message formats used in the system and includes said command, said method comprising The steps of: sending a message from a master station, receiving an encoded message at a subscriber unit (6), distinguishing said encoded message from other message formats, decoding said encoded message, and processing said decoded messages and commands. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein said special format includes a data stream with an embedded command or instruction. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the processing step includes detecting when the decoded message includes an attribute command identifying a memory location (22, 24) of the subscriber unit (6) to be locked or unlocked such that all The memory location can be accessed or not accessed by the master station (1) or the subscriber unit (6), and the identified memory location is locked or unlocked, thereby controlling access from the master station or the subscriber unit. 24. A method as claimed in claim 22 or 23, wherein the processing step includes detecting when a decoded message includes an embedded instruction which is a write instruction to write data contained in said decoded message into said Decodes a memory location identified in the message. 25. A method as claimed in claim 22, 23 or 24, wherein the step of processing includes detecting when the decoded message includes an embedded instruction which is a read instruction to read a memory location stored in a memory location identified by said decoded message data in . 26. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of processing includes detecting when a decoded message includes an embedded instruction that is a write instruction to write data contained in said decoded message into said decoded message memory location (22, 24) of the subscriber unit (6) identified in the memory location (22, 24), and store this data, prevent said stored data from being overwritten by said subscriber unit when reading from said subscriber unit is allowed, and access said stored location to extract the data stored therein, store the data extracted from said storage location in a buffer, decode the data stored in the buffer in said special format to generate a second message, and send the second information. 27. A method as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein said primary station (7) is operable to send other messages encoded in a first message format adapted to be used by a subscriber unit ( 6) Receive and display, and the special format is an encoded version of the first format.

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